Griffin guides Cardiff to win

Darren Ryan led Cardiff out on his 100th appearance for Cardiff against Bridgend but it was a moment of individual brilliance from his centre partner that sealed the points for Cardiff.

Richard Smith's try for the Blue and Blacks was the decisive score, seeing Martyn Fowler's side run out 19-16 winners at Cardiff Arms Park.

The home side controlled the opening quarter, James Murphy, returning from injury, having a settling effect on the home pack. Joe Griffin gave Cardiff the lead with a penalty in the visitors' twenty-two and he was on target two minutes later to double the lead.

Griffin landed his hat-trick in the 26th minute before the Ravens got on the scoreboard, Jamie Murphy landing two penalties of his own before the break.

The second half was punctuated by mistakes and the whistle. Ellis Jenkins, captaining Cardiff for the first time, tackled anything in Blue that came his way. His work at the breakdown was to give Cardiff a further penalty that Griffin slotted and it was Jenkins who started the moment that won the game.

Stealing the ball on the floor it was recycled on half way. From the ruck, the ball ended up in Richard Smith's hands. The sevens specialist shot through a hole rounded the covering flanker and outpaced the defence to score under the posts, Griffin added the extras.

That looked to have sealed the game, but Ravens mounted a comeback. Murphy landed a penalty before a rolling maul shunted Adam Waite over the line. Murphy added the extras to bring the Ravens within a score, but the defence held firm to move Cardiff up the table.

Wales reached their first semi-final since 2013 in the opening round of this season's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie recaps on what proved to be an eventful tournament

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

Many of the Wales squad have said Diolch (thank you) to someone who played an important part in their early playing days by nominating them to be invited to the Wales v South Africa match. One person, Gowerton Comprehensive geography teacher Mr Dean Mason was nominated by two of his former pupils, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

WRU TV: Hear from inside the Wales camp as Neil Jenkins discusses this weekend's clash with South Africa and how the squad are looking to put in a strong performance to round of the 2016 Under Armour Series